Lighter



July 9., 1929.

s. SEGAL LIGHTER File Jan- 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVNTOR.

Mm mm ATTORNEYS.

LIGHTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS.

5. SEGAL July 9, 1929.

Filed Jan. T, 1928 Patented July 9, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL SEGAL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIG'NOR TO SEGAL AUTOMATIC TWEEZER CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

LIGHTER.

Application filed January 7, 1928. Serial No. 245,061.

This invention relates to a functionally and structurally improved lighter of that type which is particularly intended to be employed as a smokers accessory or appliance.

Specifically, it is an object of the invention to construct a device of this character which may be employed freely without danger of soiling the hands of the user.

A further object of the invention is that of furnishing a lighter, the parts of which may be readily disassembled by the user when necessary and in which the danger of accident occurring is reduced to a minimum.

A still further object is that of constructing a device of this type in which the parts will have a somewhat automatic operation, the operator being required to deliberately manipulate the parts to only a minimum extent.

Another object is predicated upon the furnishing of a lighter which will preferably embody a construction rendering it extremely desirable for use as a table or desk appliance.

An additional object is that of furnishing a device of this type, the parts of which will be relatively few in number and individually rugged in construction, these parts being assembled readily by labor which may be comparatively unskilled and which, when so assembled, will operate over long periods of time with freedom from diiiiculty, the article being capable of being manufactured at a relatively nominal figure.

With these and further objects in mind reference is had to the attached sheets of drawings, in which there is illustrated various practical embodiments of the invention and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of lighter;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view taken along the line 2-2 in the direction of the arrows of Fig. 1;

- Figs. 8, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are views similar to Fig. 1, but yshowing different forms of construction and certain of the parts being broken away to disclose underlying structure;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the deck or top portion of a lighter;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional side view thereof, and

Fig. 10 is a transverse view taken along the hnes 10-10 and in the direction of the arrows of Fig. 9.

In these views the numeral indicates the casing of the lighter, which is preferably formed, at its lower end, with a base portion 16, so that it may be supported in a stable manner upon any desirable surface. At its upper end this casing provides a deck from which there extends-in the embodiment illustrateda spout or nozzle 17 beyond which projects a wick 18. Also supported upon the deck-preferably in a manner hereinafter brought out-is a sparking disk 19 which ongages with a sparking element such as flint 20 in order, when these elements are moved relatively andin a proper manner, to direct a spray of sparks towards the exposed wick portion. It will, of course; be understood that the casing 15 accommodates the inner end of the wick and that this casing is filled with a suitable volatile fluid or other substance with which the Wick may act by capillary attraction in such manner that a flame will be produced. The flame at the exposed end of the wick is extinguished by the use of a snuiier cap 21 mounted to cooperate with the nozzle or spout to form a seal at this point. y 1

Now referring to the embodiment of the in vention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 it will be seen that the snutfer or cap 21 is mounted upon or forms a part of an arm 22 and that the casing 15 is encircled by a sleeve 23 slidably enveloping the body thereof. As has been shown particularly in Figure 2, the

casin preferably has its walls bulged inwardly, as at 24"., to form a'receptacle portion which is isolated from the case interior. The sleeve in this form carries a rivet or pin 25 which extends through a slot 26prov1ded in line with the receptacle portion 24 and a rod 27 is attached at its lower end to this connecting element and mounts, at its upper end, a link 28 which is in turn secured to the arm 22.

As a consequence it' will be appreciated that, normally, the snulfer will be in the position shown in Figure 1, but if a person grasps the device he will necessarily grip the sleeve 23 in lifting the same fromthe surface supportingthe lighter and thus, by

means of the rod and link, the arm will be swung upwardly to the position indicated in dotted lines, at which the wick end is exposed to a spray of sparks emanating from Elie point of contact ofthe sparking disk and int.

In the form of lighter shown in Figure 3 no slidable sleeve encircles the casing 15, but this casing is formed with a tube portion 29 extending longitudinally of its body and. out of communication with the interior of the easing. The arm 22 is extended, as at 30, and is link-connected as at 31, to a rod 32 extending within the tube. This rod may normally be urged downwardly either by having aweight 33 attached to its lower end or by a spring 34 which is provided to achieve this function. Also, obviously as shown, bothof thesefactors may be employed and, in any event, the end of the rod or a continuation thereof is of-snfficient length that, with the shutter cap in wick-enclosing position, this end portion rests in the same plane as the lower edge of the casing or the base portion therof.

Thus, it is obvious that with the lighter in a position of rest upon a supporting surface, the upper end of the wick is enclosed to prevent the escape of the fuel within the casing. Also, if elevated from such supporting surface the shutter cap automatically swings to the position shown in the figure in question, it being patent that after the device has been used and is returned to its supporting surface, the snuffer cap assumes a position at which it extinguishes the flame.

In the form of lighter shown in Figure 4 a slidable sleeve is employed encircling the cas ing and the arm 22 has, at its inner end and point of pivotal mounting, an arcuate rack portion 35, which is actuated by a rack 36 secured to the sleeve 23, a pinion 37 being mounted for rotation upon the upper face of the deck and being interposed between the racks -36. Accordingly, as the lighter is lifted from a supporting surface the wick will be uncovered and upon the return of the lighter the parts will assume their normal position, in'which the flame will be snuffed automatically. Likewise,the lighter illustrated in Figure 6 embraces the aforedescribed casing encircled by the slidably mounted sleeve, the casing being formed with a slot 38 and opening 39, through which there extends a strip 40 which is attached to the sleeve and which may have a certain inherent and limited resiliency. The arm 22 is, in this in stance, formed with a projecting portion 41 in its lower edge, which portion is overlapped by the upper end of the spring strip. Obviously, as afore-described, a lifting of the lighter will result in an uncovering of the wick and a replacing of the lighter upon a supporting surface will automatically extinguish the flame.

Similarly, in Figure 7, a slidable sleeve is provided and, in this instance, in lieu of mounting the snufi'er supporting arm upon the upper deck, an arm 42 is furnished by extending a portion of the sleeve and this arm mounts, at its upper end, a snutfcr cap 43, it being here noted that such mounting 1s preferably pivotal. Obviously, the same function as has been described in connection with the previously referred to figures, will occur and the purpose of having the cap pivotally mounted will be apparent for the reason that, as the lighter body is tilted in use the cap will tend to swing to a point relatively remote from the flame, it being appreciated that the point of pivotal mounting is well above the center of gravity of the snufler cap.

\Vith reference to the final form of lighter shown, i. e. that in Figure 5, the cap arm 22 is extended, as at 14, and formed with a slot 45 in such extension. within which slot a pin 4.6 slidably moves. This pin is carried by the upper end of a lever 47, the lower end of which is pivotally mounted as at 48. Obviously, as the lighter is grasped in order to elevate the same, the lever will be swung inwardly, thus uncovering the upper wick end. If it is found that the weight and camming action exerted by the arm 22 and cap are inadequate to return the leverto its normal position, to wit: that shown, the lever may be urged to such position by interposing between its body and the face of the case a spring 49, which will obviously accomplish the result desired.

Now, with a view to providing a spark-producing structure, it is preferred that aconstruetion similar to that shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10 be employed. In these views it will be observed that the sparking disk is mounted upon a shaft which may have an irregular contour, so that, while the disk is slidable with respect thereto these elements will turn in unison. This shaft has bearing in the forked end portion 51 of a tube 52, and

the shaft mounts, as a fixed part, a thumb- 1 m wheel 53. At this time it will be noted that the size of the sparking disk is such that there will be no danger of the thumb of the operator coming in contact therewith, when actuating the thumb-wheel 53. In other words, the latter is made relatively so much larger than the disk that this cannot occur. Also, if desired, the forked portion51 may be of such area as to cover, adequately, the disk.

The tube is secured to a block 54. the latter covering a filling opening 55 in the deck of the casing and. in order normally to maintain the proper position of the parts, the shaft 50 may have a reduced end portion 50 extending within an opening or recess in the casing deck. However, obviously, due tothe fact that this shaft is capable of axial movement with respect to the disk, it may, by exerting pressure upwardly against the thumb wheel, be moved to a point at which its reduced end portion clears the deck of the casing, it being then obvious that the tube, together with its shaft assembly and block. may thereupon be withdrawn from position upon the case. At this time it will be observedthat :1. lug 56 is provided upon the case deck and is formed with a bore for the accommodation of the rear end of the tube further bore forthe reception of flints 57, this latter bore being normally closed by the inner face of the block 54 and the latter having a lower surface corresponding to the up per surface of the case so as to provide proper hearing at this point.

In order to assure against an accidental displacement of the shaft and, further, with a view to returning the same to normal position, the upper end of the snufl'er cap may have an extension 58 which overlies the upper end of the shaft and if the latter projects beyond the forked portion 51 it will be ap parent that it will be forced downwardly to the position shown in Figure 9 upon the can assuming its seated position. Obviously, if desired, in conjunction with this structure a spring-pressed pin 59 may be employed cooperating with the arm 22 of the snuifer cap and the spring for this pin may be housed within a compartment having side walls, as at 60.

With the foregoing it will be understood that, among others, the objects specifically aforementioned are achieved. It is intended, however, that numerous changes in construction and rearrangement of the parts might be rcsort-ed'to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A lighter including a body, flame extinguishing and producing mechanisms associated with said body and means slidably associated with said body and connected to said flame extinguishing mechanism for operating the same upon said means being released from the grasp of a person when the lighter is rested upon a supporting surface.

2. A lighter including a body, flame exti nguishing and producing mechanisms asso ciated with said body and means slidable Within said body and connected with-said flame extinguishing mechanism to render the same operative responsive to the lighter being restedupon a supporting surface.

3. A lighter including a fuel receiving body formed with an opening, spark mechanism adapted to be mounted upon and shiftable with respect to said body, said mechanism 1n mounted position having a portion thereof covering the opening, into said body.

4. A lighter including a mounting lug, a block movable with respect thereto, a wick extending adjacent said block, a spark pro ducing mechanism carried by said block, said and may be formed with a' producing "curing said tube to lug bein r formed with an opening affording storage for sparking elements and said block normally covering said opening.

5. A lighter including a bod a wick extending from said body, a lug a so extending from. said body and formed with a bore, a block slidably mounted upon said body and adjacent said lug, a sparking mechanism secured to said block and extending Within the bore of said lug, a shaft forming a part of said sparking mechanism, said shaft being adapt ed to retain said block against movement with respect to said lug.

6. A lighter including a body, a spark pro ducing mechanism mounted upon said body, a wick adjacent said spark producing mechanism, a shaft forming a part of the latter, and means movable with respect to said spark producing mechanisinto engage said wick and assure the setting of said shaft in a predetermined position.

7. A lighter including a casing formed with a wick opening, a flame snufiing member cooperating with said opening. means for movably mounting said lnember with respect to said casing and means connected with said mounting means to automatically move said snuiiing member to inoperative position upon the latter being lifted from a supporting surface.

8. A lighter including a casingformed with a wick opening, with said wick opening, a lever mounting said cap and a rod movably mounted by said casing and connected with said lever to shift the cap automatically to inoperative position upon said lighter being lifted from a sup porting surface. I

9. A lighter including a casing, a rod slidably mounted by said casing, means whereby said rod normally tends to extend below said casing, a wick extending from the casing, a snuffer cap cooperating'with the wick and means connecting the cap with said lever whereby the cap will move to inoperative position upon the lighter being lifted from a supporting surface.

10. A lighter including a casing, a tube associated with said casing, a rod slidablv mounted within said tube and extending brilow the same, a Wick extending from the easing, a snufling cap cooperating with said wick and means connecting said cap with said rod whereby the former will be shifted to inoperative position upon the lighter being lifted from a supporting surface.

11. A lighter including a casing formed with an opening, a wick extending through said opening, a snuffer cooperating with said wick and mounted by said casing, a tube formed with a forked end portion disposed adjacent said wick, means for slidably sesaidcasing, a plug of pyrophoric material within said tube, a a sparking disk disposed within the arms of a snufling cap cooperating said forked portion andbeing of such size as to be substantially enclosed thereby, an axially shiftable shaft. extending between and below such arms and mounting said disk, said shaft extending in contact with said casingto prevent a shifting of said tube, and a thumb wheel of a diameter materially larger the casing, said thumb Wheel and shaft being shiftable to permit a removal of said tube.

12. A lighter including a casing formed with an opening, a wick extending through i said opening. a sparking mechanism disposed adjacent said wick and mounted by said casing, a lever roc-kingly mounted by said casing, a rod slidably disposed with respect to said casing and to be shifted by engagement with a surface supporting said casing, a link connecting said rod with said lever to shift the same as the lighter is. removed from sa d supporting surface, and a shutter cap adjacent the end of said lever to normally cover the wick.

13. A lighter including a casing formed with a fuel opening in its upper surface, a spark-producing mechanism mounted upon said casing, a member also mounted upon said casing and normally covering said opening and means for normally retaining said member in opening covering position.

14. A lighter including a casing, a sparkproducing mechanism movably mounted upon said casing, a shaft for actuating said mechanism and having bearing in said casing to normally prevent a removal of said mechanism from said casing, means whereby said shaft may be shifted and a wick extending from sa-id'casingadjacent said sparkproducing mechanism.

15. A lighter including a casing, a sparkproducing mechanism movably mounted upon said casing, a shaft for actuating said mechanism and having bearing in said casing to normally prevent a removal of said mechanism from said casing, a thumb wheel affixed to said shaft and whereby said mechanism may be operated and said shaft may be shifted to permit a removal of said mechanism from said casing and a wick extending from said casing adjacent said spark-producing mechanism.

16. A lighter including a casing, a sparkproducing mechanism movably mounted upon said casing, a shaft for actuating said mechanism and having bearing in said casing to normally prevent a removal of said mechanism from said casing, a thumb wheel affixed to said shaft and whereby said mechanism maybe operated and said shaft may be shifted to permit a removal of said mechanism from said casing, a wick extending from said casing adjacent said spark-producing mechanism, a snuffer cap cooperating with said wick and means associated with said cap and engaging said shaft to normally maintain the same in bearing relationship with respect to said casing.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

SAMUEL SEGAL. 

